Poll: Rogers hires new hockey host

CBC`s The Hour host George Stroumboulopoulos speaks during the unveiling of CBC Television`s 2009 fall schedule in Toronto on Wednesday, September 16, 2009. Stroumboulopoulos will reportedly be the next host of "Hockey Night in Canada.'' TSN reporter Bob McKenzie tweeted the CBC host of "George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight'' will become the face of the show when Rogers Communications Inc. takes control of Canada's NHL broadcasting rights next season. (Darren Calabrese/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

TORONTO — George Stroumboulopoulos will be the next host of “Hockey Night in Canada,” Rogers confirmed Monday morning.

TSN reporter Bob McKenzie tweeted Sunday the CBC host of “George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight” will become the face of the show when Rogers Communications Inc. takes control of Canada’s NHL broadcasting rights next season.

Stroumboulopoulos, who was a presenter at the Canadian Screen Awards on Sunday, was not made available for comment. Rogers says Stroumboulopoulos will take over next season while Don Cherry and Ron MacLean will continue to host Coach’s Corner.

The hiring of Stroumboulopoulos would be the first major personnel change made by Rogers after acquiring the NHL rights in a blockbuster 12-year, $5.2-billion deal in November.

McKenzie also reported that commentator Don Cherry, who has popularized Coach’s Corner since first appearing on it in 1980, will be signed to a new two-year deal. The status of Cherry, 80, has been in doubt since November.

“Hockey Night in Canada” will continue to air Saturday nights on CBC through a sub-licensing agreement Rogers made with the public broadcaster, although Rogers will retain editorial control.

Stroumboulopoulos, already a household name in Canada, would bring plenty of credentials to the program.

The 41-year-old Montreal Canadiens fan is a six-time Gemini Award and Canadian Screen Award winner who has worked as a television personality and radio broadcaster with CBC since 2005.

Before that, Stroumboulopoulos spent four years as a host at MuchMusic where his ubiquitous black T-shirt, earrings and affable personality made him stand out.

More recently, he worked for CNN on the short-lived series “Stroumboulopoulos,” which aired last summer but was not renewed.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said McKenzie made no mention of Don Cherry’s future, when in fact he reported Cherry was getting a new 2-year deal.

Stroumboulopoulos, who was a presenter at the Canadian Screen Awards on Sunday, was not made available for comment. A spokesperson for Rogers’ Sportsnet also declined to comment.

The hiring of Stroumboulopoulos would be the first major personnel change made by Rogers after acquiring the NHL rights in a blockbuster 12-year, $5.2-billion deal in November.

McKenzie also reported the Coach’s Corner segment will continue another two years.

Ron MacLean, who has hosted “Hockey Night in Canada” full time since 1987, will still be involved with a reduced role, McKenzie reported.

But he made no mention of commentator Don Cherry, who has popularized Coach’s Corner since first appearing on it in 1980. The status of Cherry, 80, has been in doubt since November.

“Hockey Night in Canada” will continue to air Saturday nights on CBC through a sub-licensing agreement Rogers made with the public broadcaster, although Rogers will retain editorial control.

Stroumboulopoulos, already a household name in Canada, would bring plenty of credentials to the program.

The 41-year-old Montreal Canadiens fan is a six-time Gemini Award and Canadian Screen Award winner who has worked as a television personality and radio broadcaster with CBC since 2005.

Before that, Stroumboulopoulos spent four years as a host at MuchMusic where his ubiquitous black T-shirt, earrings and affable personality made him stand out.

More recently, he worked for CNN on the short-lived series “Stroumboulopoulos,” which aired last summer but was not renewed.

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